Parklet progress in Oakland

Oakland's Parklet Program took a big step forward Tuesday as two groups formally submitted their applications to construct the mini-parks.

Following San Francisco's lead, Oakland is launching a pilot program for businesses to transform parallel parking spaces alongside city streets into miniature parks. The first parklets, as they're called, are slated to be completed in late May or June.

The advocacy group Walk Oakland Bike Oakland is working with seven pilot program participants to complete their applications.

The first two groups to submit applications for a Design Review Exemption were Actual Café, which plans to build a parklet on Alcatraz Avenue at San Pablo Avenue, and Manifesto Bicycles/Subrosa Coffee, which plans to build a parklet on 40th Street near Webster Street.

Manifesto/Subrosa also recently achieved its goal of raising $10,000 to build the parklet.